Contactors

[Knobhead]

Most of our plant lighting was fed by central panels. The TP contactors would energise banks of SP MCB’s.
Got to admit it makes me giggle sometimes when people worry about switching banks of lighting.

As for the original question, it’s not ideal but with the correct warning labels there’s nothing wrong with it. Never had a 160A fuse blow on a panel yet.

Oh No! I said put a label on it!

 

[Marvo]

Most of our plant lighting was fed by central panels. The TP contactors would energise banks of SP MCB’s.

This is the way we'd do it, a t-pole MCB supplying the contactor which in turn supplies the s-pole light circuit MCB's.

 

[james king]

Anyone have any diagrams to help me understand it more? would be helpful? what about if you want one switch to turn on 6 circuits?

 

[Darkwood]

TBH Jiga reviewing your history you have asked a large amount of what would be classed as basic knowledge questions on the forum on work you are actively carrying out, Im struggling to understand what level you are or your qualifications as the sheer quantity of basic questions implicates your either out of touch with changing regulations or your experience is limited in which case either do some refresher courses or work for a company that can guide you until your experience and competence is good.

This is not an attack at you but advice, there is a lot more to arranging a contactor controlled lighting system than just showing you a diagram of how to functionally switch the contactors allowing lighting banks to operate off one point, many other things have to be taken into account about the existing or be it new lighting install to pick the correct set-up. Simple things like spacers between contactors if you use more than on or the nature of the load to ensure correct AC rated switching is contactor switching is chosen.... all of which will make the difference between you returning back to the job replacing burnt out contactors within a year or two or having a lasting install.

Their are advanced design courses that help you if you plan on going down this road.

The Forum is here to answer your queriesin general and occasionally help you out if in a sticky situe' don't get into the habit of taking on work and trying to use our good nature to explain how to do what you should already know by taking such work on in the first place, we all go through the learning curve admittedly but your history is showing a heavy reliance on the forum to get your jobs right and this should not be the case you should already know alot of what you have asked if your actively taking the work on.

 

[Robotstar5]

Most of our plant lighting was fed by central panels. The TP contactors would energise banks of SP MCB’s.
Got to admit it makes me giggle sometimes when people worry about switching banks of lighting.

We go a stage further, most of the lighting is controlled by computer. The trackside lighting switches off during break times and end of shift, the high bay lighting switches off outside production hours just leaving pilot lighting for safety, we can override any of them if necessary.

 

[tazz]

We go a stage further, most of the lighting is controlled by computer. The trackside lighting switches off during break times and end of shift, the high bay lighting switches off outside production hours just leaving pilot lighting for safety, we can override any of them if necessary.

Yes but the computer is still connected to contactors..

 

[Robotstar5]

Yes but the computer is still connected to contactors..

Correct.

 

[shanky887614]

Yes but the computer is still connected to contactors..

its just a fancy timer connected to a contactor

 

[Knobhead]

Plant lighting switching sequence:
First one in Sunday morning, switch lights on.
Last one out the following Saturday evening, switch lights off.

Who needs a computer?

Or the fist plant I worked on as an apprentice and was involved in building.
Switch lights on.
I know a switch was fitted somewhere, I haven’t a clue where it was.

 

[Robotstar5]

Plant lighting switching sequence:
First one in Sunday morning, switch lights on.
Last one out the following Saturday evening, switch lights off.

Who needs a computer?

I suppose it's an energy saving idea, having literally thousands of light fittings even turning them off for the 15 minute breaks must save money?

The new multi-storey carpark has LED striplights that are on dim for safety but kick up to full brightness when triggered by vehicle/pedestrian movement! I wondered what was going on when I first used it

 

[Knobhead]

I know what happened last time I tried an energy saving idea. The dreaded voltage optimisation. 4 20MVA transformers and muggin’s got cond in to lowering the plant voltage.
I said it would end in disaster……………….. It did!
I didn’t get an invite to the arse kicking party that followed. The accountant did, it was his idea.

 

[ackbarthestar]

Pretty common to switch all sorts of multiple circuits using a single contactor
such as card keys for hotel rooms.
I use them for switching the coil circuit via a rf key fob to power up lighting DBs